China successfully launches earth observation satellite Gaofen-4
China has successfully launched its most sophisticated observation satellite Gaofen-4, as part of the country’s high-definition (HD) earth observation Gaofen project.
It was launched aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan. It was the 222th space flight of the Long March rocket series and China’s 19th space mission in year 2015.
About Gaofen-4 Satellite
- Gaofen-4 is China’s first geosynchronous orbit high-definition optical imaging satellite and world’s most sophisticated HD geosynchronous orbit remote sensing satellite.
- It is located at the orbit 36,000 km away from the earth and moves synchronously with the earth.
- It will be used for surveillance of geological disasters and forest disasters, disaster prevention and relief and meteorological forecast.
About Gaofen project
It is an ambitious space project of China that aims to launch seven high-definition observation satellites before 2020. Gaofen-1 was the first satellite of the project series which was launched in April 2013. Presently, Gaofen-1 and Gaofen-2 satellites part of Gaofen project series are orbiting around the earth at low orbits around 600-700km.
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Month: Current Affairs - December, 2015